Automated contact cleaning system for docking stations

ABSTRACT

A docking station for mobile electronic devices with an automated cleaning feature is provided. The docking station includes a receiver for receiving an electronic device, a base, a piston, a nozzle, and electrical contacts for connecting to the electronic device. The piston has a plunger and an air chamber. The receiver is mounted to the plunger, such that pushing the receiver in a downward direction forces the plunger to compress air in the air chamber. The nozzle is mounted on the air chamber. Air passes through the nozzle when the air in air chamber is compressed. The electrical contacts are positioned directly under the receiver. The nozzle is directed towards the electrical contacts, whereby air is directed over the electrical contacts when the receiver is pushed in a downward direction.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to docking stations for mobile electronic devices, and in particular to a system for automatically cleaning the electrical contacts on a docking station.

BACKGROUND

Generally speaking docking stations for electronic mobile devices have one or a series of cavities around the docking connections. These cavities allow for dirt, dust, and other contamination to build up. The contamination eventually can cause connector failure and/or degraded performance at the connection. Moisture is undesirable near and around the electrical contacts.

Manual methods of cleaning the electrical contact areas exist. For example, use of “canned-air” or compressed air dusters can be effective in keeping the electrical contact area free of contamination and to remove moisture. However, users of the docking station may often forget to use the compressed air.

Therefore, a need exists for an automated system for cleaning the electrical contact area of docking stations.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention embraces an automated contact cleaning device on a docking station for electronic devices.

In an exemplary embodiment, the automated contact cleaning device is comprised of: a receiver for receiving an electronic device; a base; a piston; at least one nozzle; and electrical contacts on the base for connecting to the electronic device. The piston has a plunger and an air chamber. The piston is mounted to the base. The receiver is mounted on an exterior top portion of the piston plunger, such that pushing the receiver in a downward direction forces the plunger to compress air in the air chamber. The nozzle has a nozzle body and a spray tip. The nozzle is mounted on a bottom portion of the air chamber and extends into the air chamber. The electrical contacts are positioned directly under the receiver, such that a port on the electronic device will contact the electrical contacts when the receiver is pushed in the downward direction. The spray tip of the nozzle is directed towards the electrical contacts. Therefore the spray tip directs air over the electrical contacts when the receiver is pushed in a downward direction.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the base is comprised of a flat portion and an inclined portion. The nozzle is positioned over the elevated portion of the incline portion. The electrical contacts are located at a lower elevation than the nozzle on the incline portion. Therefore, when air is directed from the nozzle to the electrical contacts and dislodges dirt, dust, and/or moisture, the dirt and dust will also tend to clear with the aid of gravity due to the incline of the base.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the receiver includes an arm portion and a bracket portion. The arm portion is connected to the top portion of the plunger. The bracket portion is sized to receive the electronic device. The bracket portion has top end and a lower end. The arm portion is located on the top end of the bracket. The lower end is provided with an opening directly over the electrical contacts, whereby the port of the mobile electronic device is positioned over the opening in the lower end of the bracket when the electronic device is received in the receiver.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the nozzle is comprised of an array of nozzles.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the nozzle is an air jet nozzle.

In another aspect, the present invention embraces a docking station for mobile electronic devices.

In an exemplary embodiment, the docking station is comprised of: a receiver for receiving a mobile electronic device; a base; a piston; at least one gas jet nozzle; and electrical contacts on the base for connecting to the mobile electronic device. The piston has a plunger and a gas chamber. The piston is mounted to the base. The receiver is mounted on an exterior top portion of the piston plunger, such that pushing the receiver in a downward direction forces the plunger to compress gas in the gas chamber. The gas jet nozzle has a nozzle body and a spray tip. The gas jet nozzle is mounted on the air chamber and extends therein. The electrical contacts are positioned directly under the receiver, such that a port on the mobile electronic device will contact the electrical contacts when the receiver is pushed in the downward direction. The spray tip of the gas jet nozzle is directed towards the electrical contacts. Therefore, the spray tip directs gas over the electrical contacts when the receiver is pushed in a downward direction.

In another exemplary embodiment of the docking station of the present invention, the base is comprised of a flat portion and an inclined portion. The gas jet nozzle is positioned over the elevated portion of the incline portion. The electrical contacts are located in proximity to the lower elevation portion of the incline portion.

In another exemplary embodiment of the docking station of the present invention, the receiver includes an arm portion and a bracket portion. The arm portion is connected to the top portion of the plunger. The bracket portion is sized to receive the mobile electronic device. The bracket portion has a top end and a lower end. The arm portion is located on the top end of the bracket. The lower end is provided with an opening directly over the electrical contacts, whereby the port of the mobile electronic device is positioned over the opening in the lower end of the bracket when the mobile electronic device is received in the receiver.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the electrical contacts provide means to charge the electronic device.

In another exemplary embodiment, the docking station provides communicative links to electronic storage, processing, and electronic display to the electronic device received in the docking station via the electrical contacts.

In another exemplary embodiment, the gas nozzle is comprised of an array of nozzles.

In another exemplary embodiment, the docking station of the present invention further includes a frame. The frame has an upper end and a lower end. The lower end of the frame is connected to the base. The upper end of the frame is open for insertion of the electronic device into the receiver. The frame at least partially encloses the docking station. The frame is further provided with a slot parallel to the electrical contacts and at the lower elevation portion of the incline portion of the base. In this way, when gas blows the electrical contacts clean, the contamination has a path to exit the docking station via the parallel slot.

In another exemplary embodiment, the gas is air or nitrogen or another inert gas.

The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other exemplary objectives and/or advantages of the invention, and the manner in which the same are accomplished, are further explained within the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically depicts an automated cleaning system and docking station in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention embraces an automated cleaning device on a docking station for electronic devices and such a docking station.

In an exemplary embodiment, schematically depicted in FIG. 1, the docking station (50) is comprised of a receiver (60) for receiving a mobile electronic device (not shown); a base (70); a piston (80); at least one nozzle (90); and electrical contacts (61) on the base (70) for connecting to the mobile electronic device. The piston (80) has a plunger (81) and a gas chamber (82). The piston (80) is mounted to the base (70). The receiver (60) is mounted on an exterior top portion (83) of the piston plunger (81), such that pushing the receiver (60) in a downward direction forces the plunger (80) to compress gas (not shown) in the gas chamber (82). The nozzle (90) has a nozzle body (91) and a spray tip (92). The nozzle (90) is mounted to a bottom portion (84) of the gas chamber (82) and extends therein (not shown). The electrical contacts (61) are positioned directly under the receiver (60), such that a port on the mobile electronic device (not shown) will contact the electrical contacts (61) when the receiver (60) is pushed in the downward direction. The spray tip (92) of the nozzle (90) is directed towards the electrical contacts (61), whereby the spray tip (92) directs gas over the electrical contacts (61) when the receiver (60) is pushed in a downward direction.

In another exemplary embodiment, the base (70) includes a flat portion (71) and an inclined portion (72). The nozzle (90) is positioned over the elevated portion (73) of the incline portion (71). The electrical contacts (61) are located in proximity to the lower elevation portion (74) of the incline portion (71). For example, the electrical contacts (61) can be located at a lower elevation than the nozzle (90) on the incline portion (71). In this way, gravity assists the gas flow in removing contamination from in and around the electrical contacts (61).

In another exemplary embodiment of the docking station (50) the receiver (60) is comprised of an arm portion (62) and a bracket portion (63). The arm portion (62) is connected to the top portion (83) of the plunger (80). The bracket portion (63) is sized to receive the mobile electronic device. The bracket portion (63) has a top end (64) and a lower end (65). The arm portion (62) is located on the top end (64) of the bracket (63). The lower end (65) is provided with an opening (66) directly over the electrical contacts (61), whereby the port of the mobile electronic device is positioned over the opening (66) in the lower end (65) of the bracket (63) when the mobile electronic device is received in the receiver (61).

In another exemplary embodiment, the electrical contacts (61) provide means to charge the electronic device.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the docking station (50) provides communicative links to electronic storage, processing, and electronic display from the electronic device received in the docking station (50) via the electrical contacts (61).

In an exemplary embodiment, the nozzle (90) is comprised of an array of nozzles (not shown). The array of nozzles would be directed at the electrical contacts (61).

In another exemplary embodiment, the nozzle (90) is a gas jet nozzle. The gas may be air, nitrogen, or another inert gas.

In another exemplary embodiment, the docking station (50) further includes a frame (75). The frame (75) has an upper end (76) and a lower end (77). The lower end (77) of the frame (75) is connected to the base (70). The upper end (76) of the frame (75) is open for the insertion of the electronic device into the receiver (60). The frame (75) at least partially encloses the docking station (50). The frame (75) is further provided with a slot (78) parallel to the electrical contacts (61) and positioned at the lower elevation portion (74) of the incline portion (72) of the base (70).

As can be seen, the docking station (50) depicted can be a stand-alone station or be part of an array of stations forming a single larger docking station.

As described and depicted, the electronic device is placed in the receiver (60) of the docking station (50), and the receiver (60) is pushed downward so that the port on the electronic device is contacted with the electrical contacts (61). As the receiver (60) is pushed downward, but before the electronic device contacts the electrical contacts (61), the plunger (81) on the piston (80) is forced downward, compressing the gas in the gas chamber (82). Compressed gas or air is forced through the nozzle (90), spraying the gas over the electrical contacts (61), thereby removing contamination before the electronic device comes in contact with the electrical contacts (61).

To supplement the present disclosure, this application incorporates entirely by reference the following commonly assigned patents, patent application publications, and patent applications:

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In the specification and/or figures, typical embodiments of the invention have been disclosed. The present invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. The use of the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The figures are schematic representations and so are not necessarily drawn to scale. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. An automated contact cleaning device on a docking station for electronic devices, comprising: a receiver for receiving an electronic device; a base; a piston; the piston having a plunger and an air chamber, the piston being mounted to the base; the receiver being mounted on an exterior top portion of the piston plunger, such that pushing the receiver in a downward direction forces the plunger to compress air in the air chamber; at least one nozzle; the nozzle having a nozzle body and a spray tip, the nozzle being mounted in proximity to the a bottom portion of the air chamber and extending into the air chamber; electrical contacts on the base for connecting to the electronic device, the electrical contacts being positioned directly under the receiver, such that a port on the electronic device will contact the electrical contacts when the receiver is pushed in the downward direction; and the spray tip of the nozzle being directed towards the electrical contacts, whereby the spray tip directs air over the electrical contacts when the receiver is pushed in a downward direction.
 2. The automated contact cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the base is comprised of a flat portion and an inclined portion; the nozzle being positioned over the elevated portion of the incline portion, and the electrical contacts being located at a lower elevation than the nozzle on the incline portion.
 3. The automated contact cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the receiver is comprised of an arm portion and a bracket portion; the arm portion being connected to the top portion of the plunger; the bracket portion being sized to receive the electronic device; the bracket portion further having top end and a lower end; the arm portion is located on the top end of the bracket; the lower end being provided with an opening directly over the electrical contacts, whereby the port of the mobile electronic device is positioned over the opening in the lower end of the bracket when the electronic device is received in the receiver.
 4. The automated contact cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is comprised of an array of nozzles.
 5. The automated contact cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is an air jet nozzle.
 6. A docking station for mobile electronic devices, comprising: a receiver for receiving a mobile electronic device; a base; a piston; the piston having a plunger and a gas chamber the piston being mounted to the base; the receiver being mounted on an exterior top portion of the piston plunger, such that pushing the receiver in a downward direction forces the plunger to compress gas in the gas chamber; at least one gas jet nozzle, the gas jet nozzle having a nozzle body and a spray tip, the gas jet nozzle being mounted on a bottom portion of the air chamber and extending into the air chamber; electrical contacts on the base for connecting to the mobile electronic device, the electrical contacts being positioned directly under the receiver, such that a port on the mobile electronic device will contact the electrical contacts when the receiver is pushed in the downward direction; and the spray tip of the gas jet nozzle being directed towards the electrical contacts, whereby the spray tip directs gas over the electrical contacts when the receiver is pushed in a downward direction.
 7. The docking station of claim 6, wherein the base is comprised of a flat portion and an inclined portion; the gas jet nozzle being positioned over the elevated portion of the incline portion, and the electrical contacts being located in proximity to the lower elevation portion of the incline portion.
 8. The docking station of claim 6, wherein the receiver is comprised of an arm portion and a bracket portion; the arm portion being connected to the top portion of the plunger; the bracket portion being sized to receive the mobile electronic device; the bracket portion further having a top end and a lower end; the arm portion is located on the top end of the bracket; the lower end being provided with an opening directly over the electrical contacts, whereby the port of the mobile electronic device is positioned over the opening in the lower end of the bracket when the mobile electronic device is received in the receiver.
 9. The docking station of claim 6, wherein the electrical contacts provide means to charge the electronic device.
 10. The docking station of claim 6, wherein the docking station provides communicative links to electronic storage, processing, and electronic display to the electronic device received in the docking station via the electrical contacts.
 11. The docking station of claim 6, wherein the gas nozzle is comprised of an array of nozzles.
 12. The docking station of claim 8, further comprising: a frame, the frame having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end of the frame being connected to the base, the upper end of the frame being open for insertion of the electronic device into the receiver, the frame at least partially enclosing the docking station; the frame being further provided with a slot parallel to the electrical contacts and at the lower elevation portion of the incline portion of the base.
 13. The docking station of claim 6, wherein the gas is selected from air and nitrogen. 